throw
throw
UK[θrəʊ]US[θroʊ]
v
To send something from your hand through the air by moving your hand or arm quickly.
v
To cause someone or something to move suddenly or forcefully into a particular position or state.
v
To organize and hold a social event.
v
To confuse or upset someone.
n
The act of throwing something.
Etymology
The verb 'throw' originates from Old English 'þrāwan', which meant 'to twist, turn, or curl'. This term is of Proto-Germanic origin, related to Dutch 'draaien' and German 'drehen', both meaning 'to turn'. The semantic evolution from 'to turn' or 'to cause to twist' to the modern sense of 'propelling through the air' is thought to stem from the twisting motion involved in activities like throwing a pot on a wheel or hurling a projectile with a sling. Over centuries, the meaning generalized to its current primary sense of projecting an object through space, while specialized uses like 'throw a party' or 'throw someone off' developed through metaphorical extension.
Analysis
The word 'throw' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
He can throw a baseball over 90 miles per hour.
The news threw her into a state of panic.
They decided to throw a surprise party for her birthday.